Austin

AND, one more request - non-musicals?

bethke14

Next to Normal is dark and wrenching, and, in my opinion, incredibly moving. The lead won the Tony in 2009, and she is leaving the role on July 17, so if you have a chance to go before then, it's worth it. That being said, it's not a show for everyone--the music is amazing, but it's a story about a woman suffering from a serious mental health issues, so it's certainly not a happy show.

Plays, hmmm...sadly, my favorite play of the season, Next Fall, just closed. Race (by Mamet) just got a new cast that I haven't heard much about. Sadly, it's not the best time of year for straight plays.

maryanntex

Austin, I know that many people seem to think it's great, but I thought Next to Normal was awful! I kept looking at my watch hoping that it would be over soon. Turns out my guest felt the same way, but of course, didn't say anything until I had expressed my opinion. I'm someone who is generally very easy to please, but this was one that I couldn't take.

Centralparkgirl

I'm in between on 'Next to Normal.' Although the story is quite compelling and the original cast great, the music - imo - was completely unmemorable.

FYI - Helen Hunt is in the OB production of 'Our Town' during July.

mclaurie

There are very few non-musicals playing right now. Fences with Denzel Washington regularly sells out so if discounts are a requirement, that's not likely. Lend Me A Tenor could be fun if you'd like a comedy.

A.R. Gurney's new play "The Grand Manner" is at Lincoln Center and would be my pick (haven't seen it yet), but then, I love his plays. Here's the NY Times review.
http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/06/2...s/28grand.html
Discount
http://www.broadwaybox.com/shows/the...c_tickets.aspx
Details
http://www.playbill.com/events/event...whouse-Theater

Centralparkgirl

mclaurie - thanks for posting; I forgot 'The Grand Manner.'
I am not a huge Gurney fan, but I enjoyed it. It's not great (but how many plays are?), but it's entertaining and the cast is good. I always enjoy the Mitzi Newhouse theaer.

NeoPatrick

I'd be anxious to see Signature Theatre's production of Angels in America which starts in September -- the two parts being done in repertory.

Centralparkgirl

NP - I want to see that too. I'm looking forward to the openings in the fall.

NYer1979

Regarding non-musicals - is Behanding in Spokane still playing? Not Martin McDonagh's best play by a long shot, but some really entertaining performances by Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell. I've heard good things about Lend Me a Tenor too (and www.nytix.com has a bunch of good discounts right now for that one).

emd3

If anyone has seen "Fela," I'd appreciate hearing how you liked it...

TC

I saw Fela in May. I thought it was well staged and energetic, but too long. The second half could use some serious editing. The music and dance are engaging at first but very, very repetitive. After the first hour or so, I felt I'd seen enough. There was nothing new in the second half.

NeoPatrick

TC, that's mainly what I heard. It was playing less than a block from me my whole month in NYC and I passed it often as it was letting out. It seemed the crowd didn't have anywhere the near same "buzz" as when crowds let out of most other musicals.

volcanogirl

Bookmarking.

Centralparkgirl

volcanogirl - There's a summer version of this thread and soon there will be a fall version.

volcanogirl

Thanks, cpg!

TC

Link to Summer 2010 posting:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...10-edition.cfm

Centralparkgirl

Time for an Autumn thread - starting one now!